The Department of Health has ordered more than $15 million worth of clinical equipment to boost the public health system’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
On order, and arriving in batches, will be 301 ventilators, 201 humidifiers, 4,000 pulse oximeters and 200 ICU beds.
Minister for Health, Roger Cook said the private hospital sector would add further capacity to the system.
“In addition, the Government has initiated a major capacity-building program, creating hundreds of new beds across the public hospital system,” Mr Cook said.
“For example, the East Metropolitan Health Service has increased capacity by 185 beds by reconfiguring wards and hospital services, such as pausing maternity services at Bentley.”
He said the maternity services had now been transferred to specialist services at both Armadale Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital.
“Across the health system all our hospitals are actively increasing capacity, with all health service providers working to ensure our system is best placed to take on the challenge of dealing with this pandemic,” Mr Cook said.
“We need to be flexible and nimble in our approach, and with the reconfiguration of beds across the system, together with valuable capacity from the private sector, we are well placed to cater for an increase in demand.”
He said the new equipment on order would significantly enhance the ability of medical staff to care for an expected increase in cases.
“All these initiatives are just the first stage of increasing capacity across the public hospital system to fight the COVID-19 crisis,” Mr Cook said.
